Democratic attorneys general sue to block USDA guidance that makes some immigrants ineligible for SNAP benefits

A store in New York displays a sign accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purchases for groceries on October 30, 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A coalition of 21 attorneys general have sued to block new guidance from the US Department of Agriculture that declares some immigrants, including refugees and those granted asylum, ineligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits .

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the coalition of other Democratic attorneys general, said in a statement Wednesday that the Trump administration is illegally cutting off benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents.

The USDA provided the new guidance to states narrowing SNAP eligibility last month,